by Gideon Rubin, Special to USA TODAY Sports

by Gideon Rubin, Special to USA TODAY Sports

SAN FRANCISCO - The way the Carolina Panthers look at it, if the rest of the NFL isn't going to give them the respect they feel they deserve, they're just going to have to take it for themselves.

It's hard to blame anybody for doubting them.

The Panthers haven't had a winning season since 2008, the last year they made the playoffs.

And their four-game winning streak going into Sunday came against teams with a combined 6-17 record.

It won't be so easy to overlook the Panthers now, though. Not after a 10-9 comeback victory against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.

"I don't think anyone gives us any respect," Panthers free safety Mike Mitchell said. "We know we're a good football team but nobody gives us any respect, so every game, every week we come out here and try to take respect by force."

The Panthers (6-3) forced the issue as they won their fifth straight game - the longest active streak behind unbeaten Kansas City.

A tough defense that's the cornerstone of their turnaround gave some ground early before dropping the hammer when it counted most.

The Panthers allowed just 41 yards of total offense in the second half, and just four yards in the fourth quarter.

"We dominate," Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy said summing up the unit's attitude. "We take what we want. We do what we want. That's our style of defense."

The Panthers' defense cramped the style of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, limiting him to 11-for-22 passing for 91 yards with one interception and just 16 rushing yards on four carries.

Drayton Florence's interception of a Kaepernick pass intended for Mario Manningham in the final minute with San Francisco out of timeouts sealed the victory for Carolina.

Frank Gore rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries to lead San Francisco (6-3), which had a five-game winning streak snapped.

San Francisco led 9-0 on three Phil Dawson field goals including a 53-yarder on the opening drive.